Climate Change and Development

The Mekong River is currently undergoing rapid changes. As the pace of development increases in the region, structures like dams and weirs are being constructed for power, irrigation, and flood control. Such structures alter the dynamics of the river and the movement of aquatic life. Climate change is also affecting the patterns of rainfall and temperature in the region. Studying the effects of such changes is important to understand the future of the Mekong River basin.